Sentimental Clutter

Hey friends – ever heard of the term ‘sentimental clutter? This refers to having an excessive amount of belongings that are special or meaningful such as childhood mementos, family heirlooms. or keepsakes. Even though I’ve gotten pretty good at purging, I discovered a hidden stash of my own. It started when my youngest son got married and moved out – with just two laundry baskets of clothes. I wanted to support the new couple’s transition, so I began sorting his remaining belongings into piles: donate, shred, recycle, and keep.

Everything went smoothly until I opened an overstuffed large bin filled with items I’d saved for years. Preschool art, class pictures, highschool essays, awards and medals. I found myself in an unexpected emotional space with a flood of sweet yet sad memories rushing in. A few days later when my son and daughter-in law came over, I was surprised (aka. shocked!) that they didn’t want any of it. She gently said on the way out, “This bin is really for you.” That comment lingered until one afternoon I plopped down to reminisce and, after a tough process, chose to keep just a few special things.

Letting go of sentimental stuff is one of the biggest emotional hurdles we may face. If you’re finding yourself in a similar situation, here’s some tips:

1. Acknowledge your emotions. It’s normal to feel sadness and lots of other things. But let go of the guilt, which gets in the way of making thoughtful decisions.
2. Take your time. Go at your own pace and allow yourself to feel whatever comes up.
3. Focus on the moments, not the things. Letting go of an item doesn’t erase the memory. Keep only a few reminders as a representation of a time period.
4. Look for ways to shift your mindset. Instead of asking what to let go of, ask “What are the MOST meaningful things to keep? Keep in mind: if you think every single thing is special, then nothing really is.
5. Make a game out of it. Pretend you’re in a thrift store and ask yourself: Which of these would I buy if I was shopping today? This helps clarify what’s important.
6. Be honest. Is it just taking up space, never to be looked at again? With heirlooms, consider repurposing them. I use a tiny antique serving dish to hold colorful binder clips. As I open my desk drawer, I recall fond times spent with the person who gave it to me.
7. Give yourself a number. After my brother died, I limited myself to choosing just a few of his clothing items and donated the rest. It helped me grieve while also blessing others.

Finally, take a few moments to honor the item and appreciate the memory associated with it. Before letting go, pause and thank God for the role it played in your life. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17). This can be a powerful exercise as certain items often hold deep connections, which is why makes parting with them so hard. This simple act of gratitude brings peace and closure. Sentimental clutter may tug at our hearts, but with grace and intention we can move forward and hold onto what truly matters.

Coaching Connection:

1. What sentimental clutter do you struggle with?
2. What helps to let it go?

To Your Growth,

 

 

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